Making Footballs in China

HKCIC report reveals numerous rights violations

A May 2002 research report written by the Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee (HKCIC) documents various violations of workers' rights in Chinese facilities that produce footballs, soccer and basketballs for several major brands.

The HKCIC research, conducted during February and March 2002, revealed that workers producing these sports goods have to contend with wages violations, long working hours, bad living conditions, working conditions that are unhealthy and unsafe, a lack of social security provisions and restrictions on their personal freedom. Researchers interviewed workers from three factories located in China's Guangdong province to gather information on working conditions. The factories, either Taiwanese of Hong Kong owned, produce balls for many major sporting good brands, including Puma, adidas, Wilson, Umbro, and Diadora. A copy of the full report is available from the CCC International Secretariat or can be found at the CCC website <http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/chinareport.htm>.